427) Armenians of Taskopru Living Proof that Genocide Allegations are False

A conference titled “Ottoman Armenians during the Decline of the Empire: Issues of Scientific Responsibility and Democracy� held at Istanbul Bilgi University was the number one issue on the agenda recently despite the efforts by some groups to prevent it going ahead. Following this eventful conference, we have turned to Kastamonu city in Turkey, where many Armenian citizens live. . .

Armenians living in the Tutenni neighborhood of Kapanca village in Taskopru township of Kastamonu for 300 years react to the so-called Armenian genocide allegations. Armenian villagers living in the same village for 300 years say, “These are conspiracies and allegations broached to divide our country.� Armenians, who have been living in Kapanca village for many years without facing any problems or exclusion, note that they do not understand why there has been such a dispute. Some Armenian villagers hold positions in Kapanca’s forest cooperative office, while others are either founding members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) or members of the village council. There are even those among them, who read each and every line of an AKP periodical because of their admiration for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also reacting to the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, Serkis Durak, 82, an Armenian living in Kapanca village, says, “We have neither faced genocide, nor any form of discrimination. We have been living here for many years. Neither we nor our grandfathers have been subjected to any form genocide. If there had been a genocide or any discrimination, could have I been elected as one of the top members of the village council? We have been living peacefully together with our Turkish neighbors.�

“I am Armenian but also a party member of the AKP since the day it was founded and I am also a delegate of the party. I cast a vote in the conventions. No one can talk about genocide or discrimination against Armenians in this country. There is no such thing. We are happy with our life in this country. We love our country. No one has discriminated or oppressed us so far,� he stressed.

‘We dance together at weddings and weep together at funerals’

Seventy-five year old Arman Kaya, who lives in the same neighborhood, says the following regarding the so-called Armenian genocide allegations:

“No discriminations have occurred so far. Nor any oppression…Grandfathers of my grandfathers have never told us anything negative about Turks. We have been here for many years. They even told us good things about Turks. We have no problems regarding our belief. We benefit from all the opportunities and services provided by our state. Our state pays us an aged pension. We have green cards for medical treatment in hospitals and we receive food aid during Ramadan. The gendarmerie regularly comes and asks us every week whether we have any problems or not. We, Turks and Armenians, dance together at weddings and weep together at funerals. These so-called Armenian genocide allegations are part of a game by some interest seekers to divide our country. We are pleased with our government and state. We can practice our own prayers.�

Kara, expressing his appreciation for Prime Minister Erdogan, continued: “I always watch him. I have no connection with his party but I always read about our Prime Minister’s polices in the party periodical. He works day and night for our country.� AKP Taskopru County Deputy President Husni Yilmaz, confirming Durak’s party membership, notes: “Our Armenian citizens have faced no problems. Those promoting discrimination among Turks, Armenians and Kurds are the ones, who covet our country.�


By FEHMI MENTES
Published: Thursday, October 20, 2005
zaman.com